Scope 1 & 2: Reducing our own carbon footprint

In alignment with the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) framework, we aim to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from our global operations by 64% by 2030, from a 2019 baseline. For our operations in Asia, the goal is to reduce GHGs by 50% by 2030.

Reducing Scope 1 emissions

Scope 1 emissions are direct GHG emissions from Telenor Group that originate directly from our businesses and assets that we own or control. These include, but are not limited to, all emissions from company vehicles, diesel generators in our networks, data centres, and office buildings.

As there are still some areas in our Asian operations with little to no access to national grids or have poor grid availability, to ensure people in these areas remain connected, network locations in remote sites primarily use diesel generators. Our operating companies are working to connect these network locations to the grid, while installing solar and battery solutions on-site to reduce emissions.

To further reduce energy costs and consumption, our operating companies Grameenphone and Telenor Pakistan have structural programmes that include decommissioning old technologies, such as 3G networks. Not only does decommissioning 3G reduce emissions, it also allows for refarming of spectrum from 3G to boost 4G speed and enables better network reliability.

Telenor Asia is also committed to recycling, efficient waste management and supporting a circular economy to minimise the environmental impact of our operations.

Green Radio Project

The Green Radio project reduces power consumption and emissions at cell tower radios using data-driven methods and AI.

Project Thunderbolt

Project Thunderbolt is Telenor Pakistan’s flagship energy programme, which uses solar solutions with lithium-ion batteries to produce and conserve clean energy.

Solar deployment in Bangladesh

Grameenphone has powered around 1200 towers with solar energy in remote places to ensure connectivity in remote regions.

Reducing Scope 2 Emissions

Scope 2 emissions are emissions associated with corporate purchases of electricity.

Since the telco industry uses large amounts of electricity to operate and maintain its networks, Telenor Group uses two mechanisms to source renewable electricity to curb carbon emissions: Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs) and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). Telenor Group has a clear preference for PPAs, as this instrument can be structured to support construction of new capacity for renewable energy generation.

For now, utility-scale PPAs are not available in our Asia markets. Therefore, Telenor Asia will utilise EACs. EACs provide information about the quantity and origin of electricity from renewable energy sources, for example, the International Renewable Energy Certificates (I-RECs).